Downtown Beautification & Public Investment
The Hermiston Urban Renewal Agency (HURA) was formed by the Hermiston City Council in August, 2013 for the purpose of revitalizing the downtown core area of the city. The Planning Commission hears and makes recommendations to the City Council, who acts as the HURA Board of Directors, regarding facade grant applications.
This page includes before-and-after photos as captured by Google Street View of the completed work.
Facade Grants
The Facade Grant program is a tool to incentivize downtown property owners to improve the appearance of their buildings by offering up to $20,000 in grant money per property to qualifying projects. These funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to those projects which apply and are awarded. (Learn more on how to apply)
N. 1st Place and Hermiston Avenue
HURA Investments – $36,000 (Holiday Inn Express)
City of Hermiston Investments – $10,000 (Maxwell Siding)
Maxwell Event Center
HURA Investments – $90,000
City of Hermiston Investments – $120,000
Hermiston Skate Park
State Grants
City of Hermiston
Human Bean
HURA – $20,000
Festival Street
The Festival Street created a space in the center of the downtown core that accommodates small and mid-sized events and gatherings. A public design process for this project began in the Fall of 2016 and construction started in 2017. The project was completed in early 2019.
Anderson Eye Clinic
HURA – $10,000
Hermiston Library/Harkenrider Center Parking
City of Hermiston
Keg & Kork/Sassafrass
HURA – $50,000
Hermiston Avenue Streetscape
City of Hermiston – $125,000
